'Handicapped' Barca can win without Messi, says Roura

By Steve Norman

The Blaugrana's assistant says they can defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg despite their star player's absence

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura believes missing "the world’s best player" would be a handicap but is confident his side can make the semi-final of the Champions League with or without Lionel Messi.

The Argentina international is a doubt for the quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain after picking up a hamstring injury in the reverse fixture last week.

“If Messi can't play, evidently we miss the best player in the world and that's a handicap for us, but his replacement will play well, too and we will try to win the match,” Roura said in a press conference.

"If he plays it's because there's a guarantee he can play. But we have to be patient and wait on the medical tests, which are vital to taking a final decision.

“We need to wait until tonight [Tuesday] and tomorrow to see about Messi, Pedro and Adriano. The feeling we have is positive, but we have to wait for the training sessions before we take a decision."

Roura added that he was happy with the draw in Paris and the two away goals, but thinks PSG will be just as dangerous and the Blaugrana will have to be at their best to progress.

"Every match and every team is different and every encounter between two teams is different. I like the 2-2 [draw] we got in Paris," he continued.

“We have to face Wednesday's match like a final, play a very intense game and our intention is to win this match, like all our games. We have to try to win from the off.

"I don't think PSG will change their style for this match compared to what they did in Paris. We know them well, they are dangerous on the counter-attack, but we're used to these matches and these teams and this can't change our way of playing.

“We have to win the match and that will guarantee a semi-final ticket for us, our sixth successive participation at that stage."